HL: orange box or Halo 3?

[aacx97]

I'm pretty sure they're both going to be good, but I can only buy one at the moment. What do you think? Trying to get some opinions

[F8X]

Wow, that's got to be the hardest gaming choice I've ever seen. Is their any way that you could just get both? Mow some extra lawns, sell your first born, just think of something.

[R1V3R5]

Well, you are going to get a ton of Halo fans and some Valve fans fighting over which one you should buy. However, only you can decide what you want, not some random strangers.

That being said, I think the Orange box is a better value. But it's two more weeks after Halo 3 and you could be playing that tomorrow night.


Also, the whole, "what should I buy" topics are frowned on here at CAG.

[Apossum]

they're a few weeks apart. you can probably scrounge $60 in a few weeks?

[daroga]

Give em both a rent and decide?

[triforcer]

i don't think you can make a bad choice either way, so it probably doesn't matter. although you can pick up halo 3 this week, instead of wait for the orange box to come out next.

[bobthecat23]

GET BOTH i cant wait for the norange box to come out it will be the shit and HALo 3 will pwn

[Sofa King Kool]

Orange Box.

[erehwon]

I would say the Orange Box. It looks like a better value considering the number of games you're getting in it. I'm mainly getting it for Team Fortress 2.

[terborx]

its decisions like these that led to the creation of surf 'n turf meals

[tcrash247]

Orange Box

[deathweasel]

I'd say Halo 3. But that's just me... I've already played through HL 2 and didn't really enjoy the original Team Fortress all that much to begin with. Portal, however, looks freaking sweet.

[CrimGhost]

GameFAQs?

[KaneRobot]

"The Orange Box" is lame as hell. I've already bought half the stuff in it, I'm not paying for it again...especially with a game that is meant for the PC.

Halo 3. Easily.

[Damian]

I just want TF2. I would pay $15-20 for it. I wish it were available on XBLA or something. I've never been too excited about the Half Life franchise so buying a $60 box for the one minor part I want isn't going to happen.

I realize this isn't really relevant. Sorry, carry on.

[Liquid 2]

Halo 3.

[OwlBoy]

Both :) Get halo now, and save up for Orange Box.

[DarkNessBear]

I'm pretty sure they're both going to be good, but I can only buy one at the moment. What do you think? Trying to get some opinions

Your choice.

Want a game thats only good because of Hype.

Or do you want a game thats good.

[thrustbucket]

If you could only get one I would say it's a no-brainer to get Orange Box. That is, unless you are one of those rabid Halo fans just dying to see the next chapter in the story only a handful of people understand.

You'll get far more hours of fun out of Orange Box, no matter how bonerific Halo 3 is. Anyone that tries to say otherwise has their cock in Master Chief's cybernetic ass.

[ecmazza]

I would say Halo 3. While I know this is CAG, I think Halo 3 is the biggest game to come out in a good long while, and worth an at launch pick-up. While Halo is not the best game ever made per se, it is one of (if the not the one) most loved games of our time. And while hype can be annoying, I think there is something cool (perhaps because I am a nerd) about getting and experiencing Halo 3 on launch day with the millions of other gamers out there.

Also, then you have longer to save up for Call of Duty 4 :)

[Punk_Raven]

Your choice.

Want a game thats only good because of Hype.

Or do you want a game thats good.:roll:

[Damian]

If you could only get one I would say it's a no-brainer to get Orange Box. That is, unless you are one of those rabid Halo fans just dying to see the next chapter in the story only a handful of people understand.

You'll get far more hours of fun out of Orange Box, no matter how bonerific Halo 3 is. Anyone that tries to say otherwise has their cock in Master Chief's cybernetic ass.
Your logic is impeccable, sir. I declare you Winner of the Internet.

[$hady]

Get a job and buy both you cheap bastard or since I am assuming you are a kid do chores for your neighbors or sex the perverted guy at the end of the block. :D

[fraggedbylaggers]

Halo3 because the story will be all that everyone is talking about.

HL2 orange box can wait because most of the new content isnt story based and is more multiplayer

[pop311]

Half Life Orange Box

[KwanzaaTimmy]

Getting Both-- playing Orange Box on PC, however. H3 is going to take up all of the console time for sure.

[pinebarrens]

I'll be picking up both for sure. Now my FPS shooter backlog will be:

Metroid Prime 3
Bioshock
Fear
Half Life 2
Halo 3

Almost too many FPSs for me to handle.

[Halo05]

Flip a coin to decide which one and then play the winner to death. By the time you're getting sick of it, you should be able to find the other at $40 or less with a little hunting about.

EDIT - Thanks everyone, we know you're cool for hating Halo. Don't worry, in several months you can renew your coolness by talking about how much you've always hated the GTA games. Or discuss how overrated Metal Gear Solid 4 is, whatever stiffens that ol' e-peen.

[crunchb3rry]

Orange box because it's got a lot more content for the same price. Plus, the crowd online for Team Fortress 2 should be a friendlier experience because most of the assholes that dominate Xbox Live will be playing Halo.

[Jimbo Slice]

I'd say H3, since it's built for the system. I'm always skeptical of PC to console ports, and although I'm going to buy HL2:Orange Box once I get the opportunity to try it out (as long as it runs well), I think Halo 3 is the smarter overall choice. What if you wait for the Orange Box and end up with a dud?

[Punk_Raven]

Orange box because it's got a lot more content for the same price. Plus, the crowd online for Team Fortress 2 should be a friendlier experience because most of the assholes that dominate Xbox Live will be playing Halo.

They should've packed CS up in that bitch.

But yeah, tons of content. No matter how bored you get with the story, there will always be MP to back it up and vice versa. Does HL2 have it's multiplayer mode in it too?

Oh, and I forgot about Portal! Good times are definately going to be had with that.

[Cursor]

Which arm would you prefer to keep, your right or your left?

Get both of them. If you can't afford them, trade in some old crap or earn some scratch. Don't waste any money on the Collector's Editions--just get the basics and save the $$ for your next game.

[aihuman]

More bang for your buck Orange Box.Halo's campaign isnt that great anyway.Ive watched someone play through the entire game in one sitting.Wasnt impressed at all.I just dont see it.I guess Halo's appeal is its multiplayer.

[thrustbucket]

EDIT - Thanks everyone, we know you're cool for hating Halo. Don't worry, in several months you can renew your coolness by talking about how much you've always hated the GTA games. Or discuss how overrated Metal Gear Solid 4 is, whatever stiffens that ol' e-peen.

I don't hate Halo. Any of them. I think they are great games. But as far as FPS story based games go, it's not the best. It might be in the top 5 though. I'll be there on Tuesday to get my copy though.

It's certainly not fantastic enough to use it in my user profile though... er.. um, nevermind ;)

[DiscoDuck8k]

I'm debating the same question right now myself.

Although I was originally leaning towards HL2 for all the stuff it includes, I may just get H3 when I get the chance. Since the release is already here and I need something new now, not in a couple more weeks. They're both winners though, so you really can not go wrong either way.

If you have to get only one, just ask yourself which you'll probably spend more time with.

[Apossum]

Your choice.

Want one game thats good

Or do you want 6 games that are good.


Fixed.


It is a tough call though. Everyone will be talking about Halo and it'll definitely kick ass, but the Orange Box has tons of single player campaign gameplay, of almost PS1 million hour RPG proportions, and a multiplayer game that holds its own against Halo.

okay, maybe it's not such a tough call :lol: Clearly the Orange Box is a million times better in single player, but in multiplayer, that comes down to what you like. Team Fortress is pretty straightforward with a bunch of different types of characters to play as and learn vs. Halo's different game types.


and lets not forget the wild card-- Portal.

[SpecTrE3353]

Halo3 because the story will be all that everyone is talking about.

HL2 orange box can wait because most of the new content isnt story based and is more multiplayer
On the contrary, Orange Box contains Half-Life 2, Episode 1 and Episode 2 which is a very significant amount of quality story-oriented single player... probably a good deal more than Halo 3 will provide (unless you start counting co-op or online co-op which is where H3 has the advantage).

okay, maybe it's not such a tough call :lol: Clearly the Orange Box is a million times better in single player, but in multiplayer, that comes down to what you like. Team Fortress is pretty straightforward with a bunch of different types of characters to play as and learn vs. Halo's different game types.

You could say that TF2 has game types as well... you have defense/attack point maps, CTF maps, etc...

If it helps the ops decision at all, I just preordered the Orange Box on PC today and played the TF2 beta for a few hours and it is GREAT. It alone has made me decide that I am not going to buy Halo 3 for a while.

[elsnow77]

if youre into mp definately get halo
but, if you prefer sp id go with half life because with half life 2, episodes 1, 2, and portal, that is a lot of stuff to play

[Apossum]

On the contrary, Orange Box contains Half-Life 2, Episode 1 and Episode 2 which is a very significant amount of quality story-oriented single player... probably a good deal more than Halo 3 will provide (unless you start counting co-op or online co-op which is where H3 has the advantage).



yeah...you also have Lost Coast, if you wanna get technical. and personally, the half life story is just a lot more interesting than halo's typical humans vs. aliens fare.


You could say that TF2 has game types as well... you have defense/attack point maps, CTF maps, etc...

If it helps the ops decision at all, I just preordered the Orange Box on PC today and played the TF2 beta for a few hours and it is GREAT. It alone has made me decide that I am not going to buy Halo 3 for a while.

true. I should have specified that you have free for all options in halo vs. pure team games in TF2. and yeah, it's a blast. really really fun and incredibly fast paced.

[thrustbucket]

if youre into mp definately get halo
but, if you prefer sp id go with half life because with half life 2, episodes 1, 2, and portal, that is a lot of stuff to play

Team fortress was one of my favorite games ever, and I liked it a lot better than counter strike. So I am going to have to go ahead and differ with your mp analysis.

[deathweasel]

Half Life 2 is a three year old game. And who said it's not typical alien vs. human stuff? That's exactly what it is! It's even more unbelievable to me because Gordon Freeman isn't even a "super-soldier" per-se. He's a scientist!

I sound like I'm hating on HL 2. I'm not, I loved playing through it on the original Xbox... two years ago.

As far as multiplayer goes... I'm not a huge fan of MP games where you choose preset classes and all that. I am, however, a HUGE fan of the absolute crap-ton of variety and options in Halo's MP.

Really though, Halo 3. Just.... Halo 3.

[Maynard]

Pay your respects to the only fucking reason Halo exists and get

Orange box.

[JimmieMac]

Barney's movie had heart but "Football in the Groin" had a football in the groin.

[seanr1221]

Both. If only one, Orange box (assuming you haven't played Half Life 2).

[Mechafenris]

I'd go for Orange box too, simply because HL's a great game, and the content you get is a great value (I'm getting it myself... heh.) I never got into the game on the PC, because I had a wimpy machine way back when... and it played like Myst... it was a slideshow. ;)

I'm looking forward to it, for no other reason than I have the machine that is capable of playing it (well 2 if you count the PS3...) ;)

As for Halo 3... I might be one of the few people who thinks that Halo 3 is not the second coming.. that's just me. I don't hate the game series... (I liked Halo 1, for the most part... but never really enjoyed 2.) I'll hold off until the hype dies down a bit before attempting to get it anyway... ;) YMMV, but I think you'll get great enjoyment out of HL.

[msdmoney]

The value of Orange Box does depend somewhat on if you have played Half Life 2 and maybe Episode 1 yet? If you haven't the Orange Box is a far better value, Theres about 25-30 hours of single player game with HL2 and the two episodes + portal, plus a (supposedly) great multiplayer game. I've only played the single player campaigns of both series, so if you are looking for multiplayer, I can't compare.

Having played both Half Life 2 and Episode 1, and Halo 1 and 2, I'm more excited for the Orange Box even though I have already played a lot of the value. I thought Half Life 2 and Episode 1 were much better FPS's overall. Valve really puts a lot of gameplay variety to break up the action, with the physics puzzles, gravity gun sequences, controlling antlions, etc, combined with great pacing and setpieces. Episode 1 also feels like a coop game, because they did such a convincing job with Alyx.

The Halo gameplay got pretty repetitive for me, the Library level for example was excruciatingly tedious. It's not a bad game, the expansive environments make for some great battles, but when it gets into the corridors the game it loses its steam IMO. I don't think Halo 1 or 2 had enough gameplay variety for my tastes, but for many people, it didn't need any.

I think for a lot of people most of the comparisons on these two games are based on the two stories, for me I think both stories suck. I would maybe even give the edge to Halo because the Arbiter storyline in Halo 2 was interesting. However, Half Life 2 incorporates the story into the game much better IMO, to where you are playing the story, vs. watching it. But I put less weight on the stories than most people.

I am getting both games, Halo 3 is already on its way, and I will be getting The Orange Box for the PC.

[Apossum]

Half Life 2 is a three year old game. And who said it's not typical alien vs. human stuff? That's exactly what it is! It's even more unbelievable to me because Gordon Freeman isn't even a "super-soldier" per-se. He's a scientist!

I sound like I'm hating on HL 2. I'm not, I loved playing through it on the original Xbox... two years ago.




as for the stories, neither is really worth paying attention to, but there's at least a half decent premise for HL2-- you're in a dystopian city and everyone hates authoritarian rulers (and head crabs.) You see citizens and see how their lives are hell because of where they are. they've got asshole cops raiding their houses and head crabs turning them into zombies. so the game actually makes you hate your enemies a lot.

in halo, who the hell are you even fighting for? You don't see earth or anyone. sure, they talk about it a little, but as far as I know, master chief is fighting to save the other space marines. I understand there are whole Halo books, but the game just gives you sequences of action shots interspersed with meaningless dialog. "they've got control of the X and are going to use it to blow up the Y! We've got to stop Z before they get X!"

[crunchb3rry]

As for Halo 3... I might be one of the few people who thinks that Halo 3 is not the second coming.. that's just me.

Not just you. If I see "finish the fight" one more time, I'm going to beat myself to death with a 360 power supply. I swear, that shitty promotional line is the new "Where's the beef?"

[CrimGhost]

Listen to King Diamond and get The Orange Box.

[crunchb3rry]

Orange box for the value, then wait until Black Friday for the stores to fight eachother undercutting on Halo 3. At least that's the CAG way of looking at it.

[PhoenixT]

as for the stories, neither is really worth paying attention to, but there's at least a half decent premise for HL2-- you're in a dystopian city and everyone hates authoritarian rulers (and head crabs.) You see citizens and see how their lives are hell because of where they are. they've got asshole cops raiding their houses and head crabs turning them into zombies. so the game actually makes you hate your enemies a lot.

in halo, who the hell are you even fighting for? You don't see earth or anyone. sure, they talk about it a little, but as far as I know, master chief is fighting to save the other space marines. I understand there are whole Halo books, but the game just gives you sequences of action shots interspersed with meaningless dialog. "they've got control of the X and are going to use it to blow up the Y! We've got to stop Z before they get X!"

Umm...dude...unless I've lost my mind dont you spend a lot of the early parts of Halo 2 ON EARTH? O_o. I"m kinda not seeing how you "don't see earth" mind you not seeing civilians feeling from towns being attacked by covenant does limit the emotional connection in the game and would help it you can hardly say you "don't see earth".

[Apossum]

Umm...dude...unless I've lost my mind dont you spend a lot of the early parts of Halo 2 ON EARTH? O_o. I"m kinda not seeing how you "don't see earth" mind you not seeing civilians feeling from towns being attacked by covenant does limit the emotional connection in the game and would help it you can hardly say you "don't see earth".


It's barren and doesn't really look like anywhere in particular on earth--it looks like maps in an FPS game, not urban warfare.

[benjamouth]

OP, if you haven't been brain-washed into buying Halo 3 yet by the near constant advertising, just switch on the TV tonight for about 30 secs and that should do it.

HL2 is probably better value for money, unless you love Halo multiplayer.

[BULL_Ship]

It's barren and doesn't really look like anywhere in particular on earth--it looks like maps in an FPS game, not urban warfare.
I think your not paying attention to hl2. Gordon is a member of an underground fighting force so your really just fighting for other scientists. If you have a good pc get Orange Box you save 15 bucks over the 360 msrp.

[PhreQuencYViii]

Orange Box and HL on PC, Halo on 360. Unless your PC isn't good or something. I dunno. I'd say Halo 3, but I already beat HL2 a long time ago, which was great. Aren't the episode 1 and 2 pretty short though?

[CrimsonPaw]

Not just you. If I see "finish the fight" one more time, I'm going to beat myself to death with a 360 power supply. I swear, that shitty promotional line is the new "Where's the beef?"
QFT, I still don't get what the hype around Halo is even though I played half way through the first and second ones.

Go for the Orange Box, IMO it's a better game plus you get TF2 (which lookes AWESOME) and portal along with a fairly decent sized game (counting the two episodes).

[Maklershed]

Probably been said a bunch of times already but I'll say it anyway: If you dont plan on ever going online or playing co-op with your friends, I'd say you'll prob want Half Life 2 more as the single player/story is great. If you do plan on playing online in any way shape or form, you cant not get Halo 3.

[thrustbucket]

Probably been said a bunch of times already but I'll say it anyway: If you dont plan on ever going online or playing co-op with your friends, I'd say you'll prob want Half Life 2 more as the single player/story is great. If you do plan on playing online in any way shape or form, you cant not get Halo 3.

And I'll say it again. IMO, Team Fortress will be a lot more fun than the snobbery mixed with prepubescence Halo 3 MP will be.

[SpecTrE3353]

And I'll say it again. IMO, Team Fortress will be a lot more fun than the snobbery mixed with prepubescence Halo 3 MP will be.

I think I would go with TF2 just for the plain fact that you can use a mouse and keyboard rather than a gamepad :P The 360 also loses its whole achievement advantage considering that TF2 actually has achievements built into the PC version as well.

[Apossum]

I think your not paying attention to hl2. Gordon is a member of an underground fighting force so your really just fighting for other scientists. If you have a good pc get Orange Box you save 15 bucks over the 360 msrp.



and they're good scientists who are unhappy with the dystopian future and evil dr. breen. that's established. my point is that nothing is established in Halo. You're just supposed to blow away aliens and shout "America! fuck yeah!"

[PhreQuencYViii]

and they're good scientists who are unhappy with the dystopian future and evil dr. breen. that's established. my point is that nothing is established in Halo. You're just supposed to blow away aliens and shout "America! fuck yeah!"

I don't think that Halo would have a whole trilogy, book series, etc. if that's all the story was. Not being a dick or anything, but there is something to Halo's story. Although I notice some people get it, some people don't, and a lot of people just skip that and play multiplayer. I liked Half Life 2 but I remember it had a very wierd ending, just like Halo 2.

[magiic]

Orange Box

[carpwrist]

This definetly needs the poll option.
get Orange Box. It has so much content for the $60.

[Halo05]

I don't hate Halo. Any of them. I think they are great games. But as far as FPS story based games go, it's not the best. It might be in the top 5 though. I'll be there on Tuesday to get my copy though.

It's certainly not fantastic enough to use it in my user profile though... er.. um, nevermind ;)

Hehe, my name predates Halo 1 by about 3 years. I'm named after a Nine Inch Nails album.

Anyhow, I realize that there are legitimate complaints about the Halo series (especially Halo 2, I wanted to break my Xbox over my knee at the end). At the same time, I see the same trend over and over again. Game (or movie, or band) X becomes popular to a wide base of people. A second group of people, offended that such a large group of people could like something, immediately distance themselves from Game X in order to seem more "hardcore" or "elite". Now that isn't to say that everyone yelling "Halo is teh suxxorz!!!1lol" is doing it simply to go against the grain but I'd say at least half of them are which strikes me as pathetic.

Honestly, I'm more psyched for the Orange Box. I've mentioned it a couple times on CAG. I only had an Xbox when HL2 came out so I only got the impressive but imperfect Xbox port. At the same time, there are alot of people that have experienced a majority of what's in the Orange Box and would probably be better off with Halo 3 which, as of right now, very few people have experienced.

I'm interested to see how well the "asshole mute" button works. For example, if I join a game where the host is the asshole and mute him, will he receive some sort of notification and start booting the people who muted him? Probably not but it still remains to be seen (for me at least).

[Damian]

I'm interested to see how well the "asshole mute" button works.
I believe it immediately disconnects you from Live and cancels your account.

[BackInBlack]

I believe it immediately disconnects you from Live and cancels your account.


Thats good for people that don't want to call to cancel!

[Apossum]

XBL should have a Ban Vote feature. Like in Mad Max at the Thunderdome.

[Puffa469]

I think theres more single player value in the Orange Box. Ive never been a fan of Halos story or campaign modes. Imho, HL2's story and single player is way better that Halo, plus your getting a great multiplayer game in TF2, so that offers alot of replay value.

But dont discount the tremendous replay value Halos multiplayer will bring. Its not gonna just be all deathmatch and capture the flag. That map editor thing that comes with the game can lead to endless weird and fun ways to play. People are already doing stuff like Halo baseball, bowling, and jenga. Theres enough modifiers and settings to change that you may never get bored of it.

Im getting both, but if I could only afford one, I'd probably get H3 now, and then do everything I could to get some money together for Orange Box.